Patricia A. "Pat" Willenborg (78) of Effingham

Patricia A. “Pat” Willenborg passed peacefully at her home in Effingham on Tuesday, February 9, 2021. She was 78.

A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 12, 2021 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham. Burial will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Effingham. Arrangements are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Anthony Schools. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here. 

Pat was born on September 30, 1942, in Kansas, IL, the daughter of Robert and Marian (Sweeney) Thoele. She was a devout and devoted member of St. Anthony’s parish and schools. She received her degree in English from the School Sisters of Notre Dame in St. Louis, MO, and taught briefly before starting a family in Effingham. She would later teach at St. Michael’s Grade School in Sigel. Pat was a wonderful singer, in the pew and in the kitchen. A lively wit, she had a knack for communicating with song and wordplay, especially (though not exclusively) with children. She laughed a lot, and she took joy in making others laugh. Relentless with crossword puzzles, she could, not coincidentally, drink coffee all day. She built and curated a home library she was proud of, and she maintained an irrepressible sweet tooth, which she considered her great fortune. It explained her charm. In recent years, Pat traveled to Italy and throughout most of America with her husband, on the road for business and to spend time with their grandchildren.

She is survived by Larry, loving husband of 53 years; their children, Chad (Abigail) Willenborg of Collingswood, NJ; Bart (Kortney) Willenborg of Effingham; and Katie (Tom) Nagle of Cedar Falls, IA; her beloved grandchildren, Thalia Hare and Skylar Willenborg; Reed, Will and Rilie Willenborg; and Grace and Jack Nagle; her siblings, Mike (Sandy) Thoele of Oregon, Mary Lynn (Rick) Brunson of New Mexico, Gretchen (Dennis) Beckner of Oregon, and Kevin Thoele of Missouri; step-mother, Ann Thoele of Springfield; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Melvin (Marge) Willenborg, Art Willenborg, Joan (Donald) Koester, and Margie (Bill) Pearcy.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Marian Thoele of Effingham, and her siblings, Jeanne Devore and Mack Thoele; and sister-in-law, Jeanne Willenborg.